Everyone looked at the rough stones from both sides, ceaselessly making comparisons in their hearts. Judging by appearance, the one that Guh Siqing had was obviously of a superior quality, with its stone skin moss and yellow-brown color, all signs indicating that there was definitely top-grade jade within. In contrast, An Yiqing’s piece, while decent-looking, could only be considered average; apart from being larger than Guh Siqing’s, it had no particularly striking features.
However, before the truth was revealed, all guesses were but mere conjectures. Everyone stared, tense and unceasing, at the rough stones of both parties.
With a harsh grating sound, the stone in Ah Chen’s hand was the first to have a cut opened.
Under the tense gazes of the crowd, a green light spilled out from the newly revealed cross-section of the rough stone, illuminating everyone’s eyes!
The green was lush and vibrant, bursting with vitality. The texture was fine and smooth, simply magnificent.
Everyone widened their eyes and held their breath as they watched the stone on the Stone-Cutting Table.
"Is this... High Ice Imperial Green?" After a moment, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"Yeah, looking at the color, it’s definitely Emperor Green! Just don’t know what it will be like once it’s fully uncovered?"
"Hey! Have you forgotten the rumors about the Guh family’s second young lady? She is capable of sensing jade..."
It was only the first round, yet Guh Siqing had already uncovered High Ice Imperial Green. Although not of the glass type, the value of High Ice was naturally high, and coupled with it being Emperor Green, it would surely fetch a good price. With this in hand, if An Yiqing wanted to beat her, she would need to uncover a glass type, which was highly unlikely... odds were slim on the first stone.
Whispers spread among the onlookers below the stage, their expressions varied.
Guh Siqing, with her chin lifted, looked down upon the crowd with an air of arrogance that seemed to emanate from a lofty emperor, shattering the beauty of the moment.
She glanced at An Yiqing with a sense of triumph in her eyes, brimming with provocation.
"Ah Chen, continue!" she commanded coldly, shutting out the surprise and murmurs of the crowd.
On the other side, An Yiqing looked at Guh Siqing’s piece of jade, and smiled faintly. No emotions could be discerned on her delicate face.
Zhang Yuksheng was wholly absorbed in cutting stone, undisturbed by the developments on Guh Siqing’s side.
Another five minutes passed, and with a grating noise, Zhang Yuksheng’s vast rough stone finally had a cut surface opened.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation; as the cut surface of the rough stone revealed itself, they hurried to look. But to their dismay, instead of green, the surface was just a stone full of white inclusions.
The crowd felt a hint of regret; the first cut in stone gambling was crucial. A rise on the first slice promised smooth sailing, but a fall could cause not just others but oneself to doubt. Gazing at the white cross-section, those who originally supported An Yiqing started to waver. They wondered, could her previously gambled Emperor Green have been just a stroke of luck?
Gradually, more people favored Guh Siqing. The onlookers’ attention mostly shifted to the rough stone in Ah Chen’s hands, and for a moment, the attention on An Yiqing’s side waned dramatically, leaving it rather desolate.
"Little sister..." An Zhihang looked at An Yiqing with concern, afraid she was feeling downhearted.
The girl smiled lightly, "Don’t worry, big brother. The show is about to start."
An Zhihang was filled with question marks. He looked at the calm An Yiqing, then at the cold Gu Yelin, and finally at Zhang Yuksheng, who kept his head down and toiled away, before inexplicably touching his own nose. Well, he thought, better to just watch quietly.